Schumer: Get your lottery tickets here

No, not Power Ball or other such games of chance but the lottery for those New Yorkers wishing to attend President Obama’s inauguration next month:

Sen. Chuck Schumer has made himself the go-to guy for these tickets as noted below:

With one week left until the deadline, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged New Yorkers to go to his website and submit requests for tickets to the 57th Presidential Inauguration, on January 21, 2013, in Washington D.C. Schumer announced earlier this month that he is conducting a statewide lottery to distribute inaugural tickets to New Yorkers who request them. The office has received requests for tickets from constituents across the state who are trying to experience a piece of American history by seeing President Obama sworn in for his second term as President. Schumer’s office will distribute tickets during a random drawing that will be held on December 14, 2012. The deadline to submit requests is one week away, on December 13, 2012, with requests ONLY being accepted through Schumer’s website. Tickets for the swearing-in ceremony are only provided through Congressional offices and are free of charge.

“Time is ticking – submit for your inaugural tickets today,” said Schumer. “I am thrilled that constituents from across New York State will have the opportunity to receive tickets to this historic event, and with one week left until the deadline, I encourage those interested to go to my website and enter for a chance to experience history outside of the United States Capitol. As a chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, I am glad that several New York businesses will be among those providing top-of-the-line refreshments and entertainment at the 57th Presidential Inauguration, and now New Yorkers will have the opportunity to enter a lottery through my office to receive tickets to this historic event.”

President Obama will take his oath of office on the west front of the United States Capitol. The oath of office, prescribed in Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution is as follows: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, President Obama will give his second Inaugural address. The custom of delivering an address on Inauguration Day started with George Washington’s inauguration on April 30, 1789. After taking his oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, Washington proceeded to the Senate chamber where he read a speech before members of Congress and other dignitaries. His second Inauguration took place in Philadelphia on March 4, 1793, in the Senate chamber of Congress Hall. Washington gave the shortest Inaugural address on record, 135 words, before repeating the oath of office. The tradition of delivering an Inaugural address has continued to this day.

This year, Schumer was chosen to serve as the chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) which oversees the swearing in ceremonies. Members of JCCIC are appointed by the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.